By David Goudsward |
December 22, 2020
At St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve 2016, the Solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by Pope Francis. As the mass continued, Francis recited the Eucharistic prayer, elevating the consecrated chalice and paten in turn, and then added incense to the thurible and proceeded to cense the altar.
While these sacred rites were performed by the pontiff, the papal personal choir, the Sistine Chapel Choir, or officially the Coro della Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina in Italian, sang. This unto itself is not unusual. But this time, there was a connection to Haverhill. As Francis circled the altar, leaving a trail of incense in his wake, the music being performed was “Quem Pastores Laudavere,” a choral composition by Haverhill native James Bassi.